For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jermiah 29:11

Russ was born in Georgia to Southern Baptist Missionaries, Don and Donna Turner. Most of his years prior to 18 were spent in Brazil with his parents, two brothers and sister. After high school Russ returned to the States to attend Baptist College of Charleston. It was during his years in Charleston that he would say he truly repented and gave his heart to the Lord. In growing in relationship with the Father, he has always had a heart for the lost and needy. As a profession he worked in carpentry and painting, but in his free time he worked in thrift stores, lived in missions among the homeless and bused kids to church.

Jacque was born in Herkimer, New York. When she was 10 her family moved to East Tennessee,which she still considers her hometown. Jacque gave her heart to the Lord at the age of 16, and by the age of 18 she knew that the Lord had called her to missions work. She attended Carson Newman College and graduated with a degree in Social Work. While in college, she took every opportunity to serve on missions trips every spring break and summer break. She worked in every area including a rural setting as a camp counselor, inner city work with Laotian children in Florida, and aid to the poor, deep in the Appalachian Mountains. While at

Carson Newman, Jacque met Russ. They married in 1992. God blessed them with their first child, Tabitha, 11 months following their wedding. Over the next 11 years the Lord would bless them with 5 more children: Joshua, Sarah Grace, Caleb, Hannah and Josiah.

“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deut 6:6-9

Keeping this scripture before them as a challenge, they tried to raise the children to serve the Father, and equip them to follow Him. They strived to keep the Word and worship before them, having daily family devotions and also reading missionary biographies together.

In February of 2004, the Turners lost their home and all of their possessions in a fire. After renting a house for 9 months, they finally purchased a new home in November. The year also walked them through lung cancer with Russ’s best friend, Al. Al went to be with the Father in November of 2004. As December approached, the weariness of the year was felt. Christmas Day was not full of the usual zing and joy. Determined to get past the feeling of loss that seemed to fill the holiday, Russ and Jacque took the kids to a hotel with a pool for a couple of nights. After a time of swimming and fun they returned to their room, turned on the TV, and was shocked by the news coverage of the Asian Tsunami. The following morning, it was the children that came to Russ and Jacque with the request to go and help the people that were suffering from this disaster. 9 weeks later, with the awesome support of family, friends and church, the Turners boarded a plane and would spend the next 10 months in Phuket, Thailand, serving the Thai, Burmese and Sea Gypsies.

The year in Thailand birthed a missions heart in the entire Turner family. Over the next few years Russ, Tabitha and Joshua would travel to Honduras three times, and Peru once. The Turners prayed and sought God on where He would have the family serve. In the spring of 2009 God started putting Cambodia in their hearts. After a time of prayer and fasting, they sold their home and stuff, and moved to Kampot, Cambodia.

During their 9 months in Kampot, the Turners helped local missionaries there with a new school teaching English. Tabitha and Sarah Grace taught two kindergarten classes, Tabitha also had two Intro level English classes, Joshua taught 4, and Russ and Jacque each taught 2. During these 9 months the Lord really increased their love for the Cambodian people. In seeking continued service they were led to TransformAsia. They feel blessed to work under a Khmer Pastor and Elders to continue the promotion of the gospel.

At present Jacque, Russ, and family will be working at the Battambang Trade School by teaching ESL classes to the girls and local youths and they will be helping to raise up and support new children’s ministries through TransformAsia Community Church in Battambang.  Please continue to pray that God will give them strenght, guidance, and wisdom as they seek to do His will in the Kingdom of Cambodia!